740.00112 European War 1939/7305a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Cole)
417. For Murphy. There are approximately 8,000 tons of cargo available here, selected by French officials over a long period of time as high priority material for North Africa. The Department has been directed in cooperation with the Lend-Lease Administration to take responsibility for arranging an adequate flow of supplies to North Africa, and is now actively engaged in the necessary work of procurement and preparation. The general principle in supply from now on will be to meet requirements to the greatest possible extent. At our direction the Lend-Lease Administration is now purchasing the available French cargo. It consists of the following items:
Cotton piece goods, $2,000,000; Used cloth, $300,000; Condensed milk, $11,000; Powdered milk, $100,000; Matches, $100,000; Tea, $100,000; Nails, $670; Copper sulphate, $450,000; Pharmaceutical products, $3,700; Tobacco, $17,900; Peruvian Sugar, $100,000; Refined sugar, $270,000.
The War Shipping Administration has directed that the two accord ships not be used for this purpose, since they are not armed or degaussed, but that more prompt shipping arrangements be made. The cargoes presently procurable may not fill available shipping space. If any further space is available, it is proposed tentatively to supplement these items with sugar, milk, green tea, soap, medical supplies, cotton textiles, second-hand clothing, kerosene and other articles. Give us your opinion of these proposals, and send forward for the benefit of the Department and the Lend-Lease Administration such recent information as you may have or may obtain on the immediate requirements of the North African areas. If you approve [Page 445] this plan, loading of the ships will go forward as fast as possible. Sailing of course will be withheld until we receive further advice as to timing and needs.
It is the intention of the Department and the Lend-Lease Administration to operate in such a way as meet General Eisenhower’s needs, and we would like word as to whether existing control facilities are adequate for the job of supervising distribution of prospective supplies. In preparing to supplant Europe as the chief source of supplies for North Africa, we should establish a civilian requirements staff in North Africa, to advise the supply agencies here. What personnel resources are presently available, and how considerable a staff would be needed?